SAN FRANCISCO — Per week after calling up prime prospect Bryce Eldridge, the Giants have one other prospect becoming a member of the large league crew — albeit in a extra restricted capability.
Catcher Jesus Rodriguez, acquired within the commerce that despatched nearer Camilo Doval to the New York Yankees, has been added to the taxi squad forward of the Giants’ ultimate homestand of the 12 months. San Francisco doesn’t plan to activate him for the crew’s ultimate six video games of the common season, however Rodriguez will spend this week catching bullpens, taking batting follow and being across the crew.
“They told me to get to know the guys here, get to know how everything works, just be around the guys and get used to it,” Rodriguez mentioned.
Rodriguez, 23, didn’t spend a ton of time catching within the Yankees’ system as a consequence of New York’s abundance of catching prospects, catching solely 172 video games over six seasons within the minors. Together with catching, Rodriguez has performed first base, second base, third base and left subject to get his bat within the lineup. As of now, Rodriguez is a full-time catcher.
“We’re excited about him,” mentioned catching coach Alex Burg. “That is his first 12 months catching a ton, so it’s thrilling to have him again there. You see the arm, the arm is spectacular. He can actually throw. It’s fast and has actually good carry. He has an opportunity to be a really plus thrower.
“Catching wise, it’s getting there. It’s much better than I expected. We got him out there today and it’s fun to see. He’s a worker, which I love. He’s willing to listen, willing to learn, wants to get better. All those things are super exciting for us and for the organization.”
No matter place, Rodriguez has showcased an enchanting hit device. Over 406 video games, Rodriguez owns a profession slash line of .309/.395/.453 with 32 residence runs. Upon becoming a member of Triple-A Sacramento, Rodriguez hit .322/.399/.401 with two homers and 16 RBIs throughout 39 video games.
“He’s my favorite guy to hit behind,” Eldridge mentioned. “If there’s two outs, I know if I’m standing on deck, I’m going to get up to the plate. Even if he’s 0-2, he’s one of those guys you always expect to get a hit.”
Together with studying San Francisco’s pitching workers, the subsequent week will present Rodriguez with a possibility to work alongside fellow catchers Patrick Bailey and Andrew Knizner. Bailey enters Monday main all defenders in Fielding Run Worth (31) and is on his strategy to profitable a second consecutive Gold Glove Award, whereas Knizner has caught 302 video games within the majors over seven seasons.
“Just watching those guys, they have a lot of experience so I’m happy to be here and around them,” Rodriguez mentioned.
“When I brought it up to them that (Jesus) might come up, they were like, ‘Good, bring him. We want to teach him,’” Burg mentioned. “This group has been incredible. You watch those two, Knizner and Bailey look like brothers the way that they interact. They have so much fun together, so to bring in another good kid into that mix is going to be a lot of fun. I know it’s only a week, but I’m excited to watch them go through their whole routines together.”
Rodriguez received’t make his debut this week barring a change of plans, however Melvin mentioned Rodriguez will get a “hard look” throughout spring coaching and be thought of for subsequent 12 months’s roster. Given the Giants’ lack of manufacturing from their backstops — the San Francisco’s catchers have an MLB-worst .592 OPS — Rodriguez might play his method onto the Opening Day roster as an offensively-minded backup catcher.
“I think it shows that they see us as a big piece of the team next year,” Eldridge mentioned. “I think it’s a big thing kind of getting it out of the way and giving us a taste of it and what it’s going to be like. … For me, let me work some things out and get some struggles out of the way. It gives us a lot of confidence being here and being a part of this team.”
Initially Revealed: September 22, 2025 at 6:39 PM PDT
